Smithsonian Institution
Solomon G. Brown: Letter Writing
Personal correspondence in the form of letters is not as common as it once was. This resource presents an opportunity for you to introduce your class to letter writing and cover topics in social studies. Learners read a letter written in...
Curated OER
Test Your Writing Skills
In this letter writing skills activity, middle schoolers examine 15 phrases from letters and determine whether each phrase is from a formal or informal letter. Good, solid writing practice!
Curated OER
Letter of Complaint
Learners analyze this letter of complaint to the city council by answering nine short-answer questions. They examine author's purpose, word choice, claims, rhetorical questions, and general observations. There is a focus on constructive...
Scholastic
Narrative Writing
If you're looking to start a unit based around narrative writing, make sure to consider this resource while you're planning. This book covers five topics: writing personal narratives, writing narratives about others, writing narratives...
Curated OER
Writing Informal and Formal Letters
An informal/formal letters activity asks pupils to label the 15 greetings, salutations, and wording of passages from sample letters as being examples of either informal or formal writing.
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Informational Writing
Emerging writers identify an informational piece of writing. They are provided with examples of informational writing and view a PowerPoint on narrative writing. Then, they design their own informational writing with a brochure,...
Curated OER
Writing Letters
Students see the difference between business letters and other letters that could be received in the mail, such as bills, invitations, and letters from friends or relatives. They practice writing letters as well as sending them.
Curated OER
Out of Old England in the 1630s-Flat Me Project
Students write letters to penpals. In this geography/literacy lesson, students become penpals with a classroom in England to learn about customs and society across the ocean. Flat Stanley by Will Holton is read aloud, and students...
Curated OER
Dear President Obama
Students write letters to the president as he begins his term. In this letter writing activity, students discuss goals they hope the president will consider, and send good wishes to the president and his family. After the letters are...
University of Kansas
Newspaper in the Classroom
Newspapers aren't only for reading—they're for learning skills, too! A journalism unit provides three lessons each for primary, intermediate, and secondary grades. Lessons include objectives, materials, vocabulary, and procedure, and...
Curated OER
Lesson 4:Writing a Letter
Students write business letters and emails. For this letter lesson, students use the seven-day road trip they had planned in a previous lesson and contact the Chambers of Commerce for the cities they plan to visit. They write business...
Curated OER
Virtual Field Trip: Lesson Ten - Publishing
Class members publish a letter describing their Virtual Field Trip incorporating data from previously developed charts, graphs, and data tables. The final activity in a series devoted to collecting information and publishing data.
Curated OER
I Nominate My Friend
Students review letter writing skills and the use of descriptive language, and practice writing persuasive letters, with help from teacher and peers. Letters are then written to nominate friend for Friend of the Year.
Curated OER
Alien Pen Pals
Learners write a friendly letter to an Alien Pen Pal including details about the planet Earth.
Curated OER
The Write Thing to Do
Students examine the proper way to write formal business letters. Students apply the skill to write letters to appropriate environmental protection agencies.
Curated OER
Traveling Community Journal Project
Students create an online "community journal". In this communities lesson, students use a writing template to send e-mail to various people to learn more about their community. The journal is passed from person to person.
Curated OER
CHINESE NEW YEAR
In this acrostic worksheet, students are given one line for each corresponding letter of the words "Chinese New Year". They are asked to write a poem, beginning the first word in each line with the appropriate letter.
Curated OER
Let Pharady Enjoy Her Childhood
A thought-provoking lesson plan which will provide your 5th graders with a world view. Pupils discuss children's rights here in the US and around the world, and do some comparisons. They watch a video, embedded in the plan, that shows a...
Curated OER
Emailing Colonial Pen Pals
Fifth graders write emails to a friend imagining they are traveling to colonial America. In this emailing penpals lesson plan, 5th graders discuss appropriate language and topics in email communication, use correct format and write...
Curated OER
Tall Tale Rollers
Students explore American tall tales. In this tall tale lesson, students discover the six characteristics that are included in tall tales. Students survey their class to find each student's favorite tall tale character and organize the...
Curated OER
Writing Away For Information
Students review the format used to write a friendly letter which they will use to write an e-mail. They use questioning techniques as they write a letter of inquiry using a number of drafts. Using a word processing program they develop...
Curated OER
Using Capital Letters
In this language arts activity, learners learn the capitalization rules. Students read the information, then complete 8 pages of exercises. Learners capitalize names, license plates, post codes (UK) and abbreviations. Students rewrite 10...
Curated OER
Outlining for Beginners
Learners examine the standard form of an outline by viewing several examples. They practice categorizing information and then create a simple outline.
Curated OER
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Public Views of Lincoln
Students write a letter in the voice of Abraham Lincoln. In this history lesson, students interpret the way the public viewed Lincoln during various times by examining political cartoons and images. Students write a letter in the voice...